Feline Tick Fever

Ticks are parasitic insects that feed on mammal blood and, like most parasites, can act as vectors to transmit diseases in the process. One symptom that cats may experience from a tick bite is fever, which can indicate a number of diseases.

  1. Lyme disease

    • A fever resulting from a tick bite may indicate that the cat has been infected with lyme disease. This is a serious disorder in any mammal and will be accompanied by symptoms like stiff muscles and joints, fatigue, loss of appetite, and fainting, as well as what owners call a "zombie-like trance," according to cat health site Messy Beast.

    Cytauxzoonosis

    • This is possibly the most serious tick-related disease that is unique to cats. Along with fever symptoms, the cat exhibits anorexia and dehydration. This disease originated in Bobcats, which are large enough to handle it, but, according to UGA Veterinary School, the disease is often severe and fatal in house cats.

    Other Fevers

    • Cats may also be infected with very mild diseases, such as Rocky Mountain-Spotted Fever, which is serious in dogs and humans, but relatively benign in cats.

    Tick removal

    • You should remove a tick as soon as possible, as it takes at least four hours for it to transmit any diseases, according to Vet Info. Use sterilized tweezers to remove the head first, followed by the body. Then, swab the area with rubbing alcohol and apply an antibiotic cream.

    Treatment

    • Consult the veterinarian to diagnose the cat properly and prescribe a medication, most likely an antibiotic.

    Prevention

    • Keep that cat indoors, especially between May and September, the most popular time of the year for ticks. Also, consistent grooming will help you notice ticks quickly, and a flea collar can help repel ticks.